The Influence of Electrolyte Flow Hydrodynamics on the Performance of a Microfluidic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

The dye-sensitized solar cells microfluidically integrated with a redox flow battery (µDSSC-RFB) belong to a new emerging class of green energy sources with an inherent opportunity for energy storage. The successful engineering of microfluidically linked systems is, however, a challenging subject, as the hydrodynamics of electrolyte flow influences the electron and species transport in the system in several ways. In the article, we have analyzed the microflows hydrodynamics by means of the lattice-Boltzmann method, using the algebraic solution of the Navier-Stokes equation for a duct flow and experimentally by the micro particle image velocimetry method. Several prototypes of µDSSC were prepared and tested under different flow conditions. The efficiency of serpentine µDSSC raised from 2.8% for stationary conditions to 3.1% for electrolyte flow above 20 mL/h, while the fill factor increased about 13% and open-circuit voltage from an initial 0.715 V to 0.745 V. Although the hexagonal or circular configurations are the straightforward extensions of standard photo chambers of solar cells, those configurations are hydrodynamically less predictable and unfavorable due to large velocity gradients. The serpentine channel configuration with silver fingers would allow for the scaling of the µDSSC-RFB systems to the industrial scale without loss of performance. Furthermore, the deterioration of cell performance over time can be inhibited by the periodic sensitizer regeneration, which is the inherent advantage of µDSSC.

Dissociation and recombination in the electrolyte flow model

We propose a one-dimensional model for the dilute aqueous solution of NaCl which is treated as an incompressible fluid placed in the external electric field. This model is based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck system of equations, which also contains the constant flow velocity as a parameter and considers the dissociation and the recombination of ions. We study the steady-state solution analytically and prove that it is a stable equilibrium. Analyzing the numerical solutions, we demonstrate the importance of dissociation and recombination for the physical meaningfulness of the model.

Influence of hydrodynamics of electrolyte flow during electrochemical treatment on the quality of the treated surface

The features of the hydrodynamics of the electrolyte in the interelectrode gap during electrochemical processing of a profile axisymmetric workpiece are considered. The distribution of average flow rates and flow lines is calculated for a specified electrolyte supply. The nature and rate of the electrolyte flow are established. The unevenness of the current density is determined taking into account the change in the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte from heating and gas filling of the interelectrode gap, as well as the quality of the treated surface. Keywords: electrochemical treatment, roughness, electrolyte, electrical conductivity, gas filling. [email protected]

Study on the Effect of Magnetic Field on Temperature Domain During Electrolytic Processing

A physical model, mathematical model and geometric model of multi-physical field (electric field, flow field, temperature field, magnetic field) were established to explore the influence of magnetic field on the temperature domain in the gap during ECM. The change law of temperature domain of ECM gap under different magnetic field design methods was studied by using COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS. The scheme is as follows: the magnetic field line is perpendicular to the electric field and the flow field is parallel; the magnetic field line is parallel to the electric field and the flow field is vertical; the electric field of the magnetic field is vertical and the flow field is vertical. The change law of the influence of the magnetic field on the electrolyte temperature is studied by simulation. The changes of current density under three magnetic field design methods and different electrolyte flow were studied. The simulation results show that when the magnetic field is perpendicular to the electric field and the flow field, the temperature change is relatively gentle, and the flow field changes uniformly under the action of the magnetic field volume force, so that the change of current density is relatively stable; The current density of anodic dissolution increases with the increase of voltage, resulting in the increase of electrolyte temperature and heat, further reducing the gap and machining gap, and the temperature in the gap will be greatly increased. Under the action of magnetic field, the electrolyte flow rate increases and the electrolyte temperature decreases greatly.